‘I want to be Eala’: Philippine sensation sparks tennis boom at home

In the Philippines, a tennis sensation named Alexandra Eala has ignited a passion for the sport among young Filipinos. Just over a year after her first Grand Slam appearance at the 2025 French Open, the 21-year-old has risen to 20th in the WTA rankings, sparking a surge in interest for a sport typically dominated by the elite in a country known for basketball, boxing and cockfighting.

Racquet sales have soared, and securing a court for practice is nearly impossible due to high demand. Eala's rise has motivated many, with parents hoping their children could follow in her footsteps. A famous image of her diving for a ball at Wimbledon's Centre Court inspired nine-year-old Mayumi Stevens, who dreams of becoming Eala when she grows up.

French sporting goods retailer Decathlon has capitalized on the trend, with sales of beginner racquets increasing by 66% in the past year. The Philippines has fewer than 1,000 tennis courts, many of which are unique shell courts, making court reservations challenging. Eala's success has led to the construction of a National Tennis Centre, with an academy and an 8,000-capacity stadium, in an effort to nurture more homegrown talent.